I regularly had days like Tuesday before I was retired, but I thought they were all in my past. That said, in reality, the ways in which I was stretched on this past Tuesday do not really compare to many pre-retirement days. So, I should probably just say that, as one who has celebrated 71 birthdays, I was stretched.
The day started the way my Tuesdays have usually started this summer. First, let me take a step backwards. It was raining that morning, so instead of walking/jogging my +1 mile, I slept in and drove to get the Free Press at 6:30. Then, as usual, I arrived for my “early shift” of grandchild care around 8:00. Monica, the “day shift” arrived before 9:30, and I arrived at my dentist’s office right on time at 10:00 for step one of receiving another implant. After jokingly asking if after three implants the fourth one is free (the answer was a smile and “no”.),she froze my mouth and got to work. However, removing what needed to be removed was a much more difficult process than expected, and the one-hour appointment took closer to two. I don’t know about you, but I am not that fond of people yanking around in my mouth, so those two hours really stretched me.
I had skipped breakfast in preparation for the dental appointment, but now had to skip lunch also because of my afternoon commitment. After a quick stop at home to pick up a novel, my iPad, and a notebook, I exchanged vehicles with our younger son so that I could take his car to the dealership for an oil change while he worked. I got there a little late. They were busy. I was hungry. And the whole picking up the car, waiting at the dealership, and then getting my car ended up taking between 3-4 hours. Add that to my morning, and I was getting really stretched.
While I was in the lounge at the dealership I could feel the pain med the dentist had given me wearing off. She had also called in two prescriptions. One for the infection and the other for my pain. However, since I had spent so much time in her chair, they remained at the pharmacy awaiting me to pick them up. As I drove away from the dealership my mouth was sending me a message loud and clear – “I’ve been stretched.”
Unfortunately I had no more time after the dealership than prior to pick up my prescriptions because I had a 4:00 p.m. appointment in Roseville. So, I picked up my car in Mount Clemens, drove home to Chesterfield to grab what I needed for the appointment, and headed for the Starbucks at Gratiot and Masonic. Though I was on time for the appointment, the small black coffee I drank did nothing for my pain or my hungry stomach.
I was feeling very much stretched until about 60 seconds into the appointment. For me, there are few things that are more energizing than meeting with someone who, after many life struggles, wants to talk about rejuvenating their faith and getting their child baptized. The issues of my mouth and stomach quickly vanished and it would have been very easy for me to stretch the conversation into a much longer one than it needed to be.
But the clock was approaching 5:00 p.m. As I climbed into my car, my energy quickly faded. In my initial plan for the day I had three more stops before going home, but I knew that two needed to be eliminated. The library could wait for another day. My pain meds could not. And, regretfully, voting in the primary fell by the way-side (I cannot remember the last time I skipped voting on an issue).
The pharmacist assistant, as he packaged my prescriptions, reminded me that I was due for shot #2 of some vaccine. I said to him, “Well, I have a new hole in my head and have stretched myself silly today, why would I not get this taken care of while I’m here.” I figured it would be a quick thing, but … of course there was a long form to fill out … then he got busy … then he ushered me into a small room … then the pharmacist came to speak with me … then he left … then the tech got busier … and then, after 30-40 minutes the shot was administered. I know I have stretched the story out – but it felt like it was stretching me out even more.
That evening, Monica fixed a wonderful supper that treated both my mouth and my stomach perfectly. The rest of the evening was quiet. At 9:00 p.m. I took one of the pain killers prescribed and crawled into bed. Thankfully the night was very restful and the following day, though starting with a walk at 5:30 a.m. and filled with activities, was as delightful and pleasant as a day could be.
And, by comparison, I was not really stretched. If you want to read about truly being stretched read what Paul has to say in 2 Corinthians 11.24-28. So, while at times I may have been feeling “poor me”, I was actually rich through it all … rich in grace … rich in the opportunity to be a blessing to others … rich in being cared for by my Heavenly Father and the families into which he has placed me. And, if anything, the supposed “stretching” was a valuable (blessed) and loving gift to me from above.
I like how Saint Paul views his “stretching experiences” just one chapter after listing them. “Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace if sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boat all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12.8-10)
I think I had better just end things here – before I stretch you beyond your limits – with Paul’s closing words from the next chapter. “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” (2 Corinthians 13.11).
Streteched